Internal-combustion engine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1944 a 8 W a W Mom I C O M 0 7 m m a a4. w fl 9 Patented Jan. 29,1946

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,393,749 INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINEAnthony Cadella, ran-nerd, Conn.

Application January 27, 1944. Serial No. 519,863

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in internalcombustion engines and has for an object to provide an internalcombustion engine having an expansible or adjustable compressionchamber.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma consideration ofthe following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings where satisfactory embodiments of theinvention are shown. However, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variationsand modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and thescope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a central vertical sectional view through the head of aninternal combustion engine having the invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken as along' the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 andlooking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing another modification;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of certain operating parts removedfrom the engine of Fig. 4;

I Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on a horizontal plane throughthe means of Fig. 5;

Figs. '7 and 8 are detail sectional views through the operating means,the views being taken as along the lines 'l-'| and 3-8, respectively, ofFig. 6.

Referring in detail to the drawings and at first more particularly tothe form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, at I0 is generallyindicated an engine block having a cylinder ll therein and in which isreciprocable a piston l2 having connected thereto any or the usualpiston rod l3. On the block I0 is a head generally designated H. Anopening I5 is cut through head i4 in alignment with the cylinder II andthe sides of such opening where it passes through the inner wall 16 ofthe'head are screw threaded as shown.

A sleeve I1 is fitted in the opening l5 and is threaded to the wall I 8.Beyond head M, the sleeve I1 is externally enlarged as at i3 whereby itincludes an annular shoulder l9 overlying the ant from the space betweenthe walls l3 and 23.

At its inner end the sleeve I1 is provided with an internal annular lip2| (1.

Within the sleeve il a piston device generally designated 22 is arrangedin opposing relation to the outer end of the piston l2 and such pistondevice at its inner end is provided with an annular shoulder 22anormally seated against the lip 2la as shown. A cap 23 is threaded ontothe outer end portion of the sleeve and passing centrally through saidcap is a rod 24 at its outer end carrying a roller 25 engaged by a cam26 on a shaft 21. At its inner end the rod 24 carries a plate 23 andbearing at one end against said plate and at its other end against thepiston device 22 is a heavy coil spring 29. Clearly the spring 29constantly tends to maintain the piston device 22 against the lip 2la.Openings 3!! convenience of adjustment and in a multi-cylinder engineall cylinders are constructed as herein and preferably the control camfor the pistondevice of each cylinder is on the same rod 21.

Thepiston device 22 with the piston l2 define opposing portions of thewalls of a compression chamber 3| when the piston is in its outer mostposition as shown. A valve 32 may control the movement of fuel to suchchamber. At its outer end Piston l2 comprises essentially an annulus. Aring or annulus 33 is threaded into place in the outer end of the pistonso that there is a central opening through the outer end of the latter.Actually piston l2 comprises inner and outer bodles34 and 35 of whichthe latter has the an nulus 33 threaded into its outer end portion.

Inner body 34 has a raised central outer end portion 36 of a diameter toenter and fill the opening through the annulus 33 and with the latterand the outer end of the side wall of body 35 completes the outer end ofthe piston l2.

Surrounding raised portion 33 the body 34 has an annular shoulder 31normally engaged with the inner side of-the annulus 33 whereby outwardmovement of the body 34 relative to the body 35 is positively limited. Acoil spring 38 bears against the inner side of the head end of the body34 and against a bracket 33 on the wrist pin 43, see Fig. 2, and servestoconstantly urge the body 34 to a position with the mentioned annularshoulder against the inner side of the annulus 33. t

In the operation of the engine the piston device 22 and the inner pistonbody 34 have no movement relative to the outer piston body 35 undernormal conditions. The springs 29 and 38 are of such strength and are soset that the force of the normal explosion in the chamber 3| causes nomovement of the piston device 22 and only movement of the inner body 34with the outer body 35. However, on an excessive pressure beingdeveloped in the firing or compression chamber 3| the piston device 22may move outwardly away from the lip 2la further compressing the spring29.

This results in an enlargement of the compression and firing chamber 3|and as the piston.

' may be planned and in fact is planned to reduce the capacity of thecompression chamber so that the compression is increased as from sixtyto one hundred pounds or such other figures as may be decided upon.

n firing of the compressed charge the pressure in the chamber may jumpto three hund ed pounds (per square inch) and immediately the piston l2starts inwardly in the cylinder 1 I. As the piston so moves the pressuredrops. Piston device 22 is set to be held stationary by the spring 29 onthe development of the three hundred pound or other predetermined normalpressure so that the maximum efliciency of the engine is obtained. Atthis time innerbody 34 moves as a unit with outer body 35 of the pistonI2. I

On excessive explosive pressure, as on pre-ignition or on increase offuel supply and slower piston movement such as may result at the startof the climb 01' a, hill, etc., the piston device 22 moves outwardlyrelieving the excessive pressure as the piston l2 starts its workingstroke. As

piston l2 so moves the pressure above it falls and when such pressure isback to the predetermined maximum for which the spring 29 is set thelatter starts the return movement of the piston device 22 prolonging thecylinder pressure at the three hundred pounds (or otherpredeterminedamount) maximum pressure as predetermined.

It is noted inFigs. l and 2 that the hole [5 has been cut through thehead of an engine of standard construction as now on the market so thatin such figures the invention has been applied to an existing engine. Bymanipulation of the shaft 21 the cam 26' may be turned in one directionor the other to further force the rod 24 inwardly or to permit the sameto move outwardly whereby to increase or decrease the compression of thespring 29 and to thus change the normal maximum pressure at which theengine is to operate and yet have the piston device 22 remainstationary.

Spring 38 is of a construction to maintain the inner piston body 34 withits annular shoulder seated against the annulus 33 under the normaloperating pressures dveloped in the engine. This spring is undersomewhat less compression than the spring 29 whereby the inner pistonbody 34 will yield to increase the size of the compression and firingchamber on the development of an excessive pressure while the pistondevice 22 will yield only on development of a pressure in excess of thatrequired to unseat the device 34.

Thus the constructions maybe used to supplement one another. However, itis to be understood that either structure may be used alone. When theinner piston .body 34 is used and the piston device 22 is not used theentire task oi'enlarging the compression chamber and relieving excessivepressure therein and of prolonging the application of full maximumpressure to the piston I2 is preformed by the said inner piston body inmovements relative to movements of the outer piston body 35.

In Fig. 3 the invention is shown. as incorporated in a new constructionwherein the engine block and head are formed as an integral casingincluding a lower or block portion having a cylinder 46 therein and anouter or head portion 41 having a bore 43. therethrough in the nature ofan extension of the cylinder .46. Within the cylinder 46 andreciprocable toward and from the outer end thereof is a piston 49connected with a piston rod 50.

A piston device is disposed in the bore 48 in opposing relation to thepiston 49 and with the '55. Between the plate and the head of the pistondevice 5| is a coil spring 56 normally serving to retain the device inposition with its flange 52 against the outer endof the body portion 41.On loosening of a lock or jam nut- 51 about the shank of the screw thelatter may be adjusted to increase or decrease the compression of thecoil spring 56 whereby to change the redetermined pressure at which thepiston device will be moved away, from the piston 49 or outwardly in thepassage 48.

The device of Fig. 3 functions in the same manner as the device 22 ofFigs. 1 and 2. In the structure of Fig. 3 the engine block is speciallyformed and it is not necessary to cut an opening through an engine headas in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the invention is disclosed as added to orincorporated in an existing engine. Further in the device of Fig. 3 itis necessary to make individual or separate and independent adjustmentsof the screws 54 of the various cylinders of the engine whereas in Figs.1 and 2 the adjustments are simultaneous ly made for all the cylindersof the same engine bank by manipulation oi the rod or shaft 21 6| and isdefined by a cylindrical wall 66 projecting beyond the upper side of theengine head. A cap 61 is threaded to the upper projecting portion of thewall 66 and may be provided or formed with a sort of funnel device 68for directing air through an opening 69 in the cap. The cap is providedwith other openings for the free movement of air therethrough and thedirecting of air through the cap is for the purpose of helping to coolthe piston device 10 now to be considered.

Piston device 10 is arranged in the bore with its head end in opposingrelation to the pisfan 88 and rigidly connected with said piston deviceand extending outwardl through the cap 81 is a rod or stem 1| having atits outer end a head 12 provided in its side walls with slots 18'extending at or substantially at right angles to said rod or stem. Abracket 18 has a bifurcated upper end receiving between its arms 18 abar 18 arranged substantiall horizontally, Between the arms 18 the bar18 is provided with a circular opening in which is'fltted a cam disc 11through which eccentrically passes a shaft 18 rotatably supported in thebracket arms 18.

A bracket or support 18 under the outer end of the bar 18 mounts a coilspring 88 bearing at its upper end against a plate II. A screw 82 isthreaded through the outer end of bar 18 into engagement with the plate8| and thus the spring 88 is constantly tending to move the outer endportion of bar 18 outwardly in a direction away from the engine. Alsomounted on cap 81 is a bracket means 88 to which is pivoted a link;likemeans 88 the outer end portion of which is bi- I furcated and straddlesthe bar 18 at a point between the screw 82 and the shaft 18. i

A stop in the form of a pin or roller 88 is mounted between the outerends of the arms of the means 88 and inwardly of such roller a pin 88passes through the bar 18 and has its ends disposed in slots 81 in thearms of the said means, Mounted on this pin 88 between the arms of themeans 84 and at one side of the bar 18 is a dog or rocker 88 adapted forpivotal movement and having an extension 88 to which is connected a coilspring 88 constantly tending to rock the dog.

about its pivot whereby to maintain it in contact with the roller 88. Across pin 8i carried by the inner end portion of the bar 18 andextending into the slots 18 provides a pin and slot connection betweensaid bar and the head 12.

In the operation of the engine of Fig. 4 the piston device 18 functionsmuch the same as the piston devices of the figures previouslydescribed.The disc or cam 11 is preset to dispose the piston device in the desiredrelation to the piston 88 when the device is in its normal orinnermostposition. Similarly the screw 82 is adjusted to have the spring 88functioning through the bar 18, as alev'er pivoted on disc 11, exert thedesired and predetermined pressure to maintain the piston device in suchpreset position against normal explosive pressures in chamber 82.

{lilies for zero clearance between the parts at all In thisthirdmodification the compression chamber is made of small capacity asin the other forms of the invention disclosed. On development of anexcessive pressure the device 18 moves upwardly relieving the pressuresomewhat by enlarging the cubic capacity of the tiring and compressionchamber and then moves downwardly in the direction or movement of thepiston prolonging the application of the maximum pressure to the latter,downward movement of the piston device is determined by the movement ofthe bar 18 about the disc 11 and such movement is limited by the Iroller or pin 88 and the means 88.

Disc or cam 11 also provided a means for making an adjustment of thedevice 18 toward the piston 88 whereby to reduce the cubic capacity ofthe compression chamber 82 to compensate for wear or the piston 88 andthe consequent loss of compression. For example, if the original anddesired compression pressure is one hundred pounds and because ofleakage caused-by wear of the piston 83 the compression pressure beingobtained is only ninety pounds the disc or cam 11 is adjusted to lowerthe pivot point of the bar 18 and thus lower the piston device 18 in thecylinder 88 reducing the cubic capacity of the chamber 82 so that thecompression obtained therein will be increased. This adjustment of thecam 11 results in a rocking of the bar 18 to carry its outer end awayfrom spring 88 and now screw v82 is adjusted through the bar to restorethe spring to the desired compression.

While the take up device between the relatively movable parts 18 and 88is herein disclosed as applied to the control of the piston device 18 itis to be understood that such take up device is of general applicationfor the purpose of maintaining zero clearance between a pair of parts.This structure may be used in engine valve tappet structures to preventtappet noises. etc. It

However, on creation of an excessive pressure in chamber 82 the pistondevice 18 is forced outthe excessive pressure is relieved on the workingstroke of the piston 83 the spring 88 acting through the bar or arm 18forces the piston device 18 back to normal position, the movement of thebar 18 about the disc 11 being limited by the roller or pin 88.

On any rocking movement of the bar 18 caused by outward movement of thepiston device 18 the pivoted dog 88 (as it is carried with the bar) isrocked on its pivot by the coil spring 88 and kept in mechanicalengagement with the pin 88. Thus the dog is always in engagement withthe pin 88 and on reverse movement of the bar 18 b the spring 88 as thebar moves upwardly the dog is rocked back about its pivot but stayingincludes means for maintaining mechanical contact and thus zeroclearance between a, pair of relatively movable parts, the contactbeing, in the present instance maintained by the spring urged dog 88 andthe pin or roller 85.

The structures including the piston devices of the various figuresprovide for engines of higher.

than usual operating pressures and for the avoid ing of engine knock.While the present structures provide for extra high compression, sincethey allow for only a small capacity of compression chamber whileproviding for the customary size of charge, they also provide expansibleor adjustable compression chambers whereby engine knock is avoided. Thuswith the present structures an engine to use higher octane gasoline isprovided and one taking full advantage of the possibilities of such fuelfor efilcient operation.

While the cam 28 has been described as manually adjustable by rotationor turning of the shaft 21 it is contemplated that this shaft becontrolled according to the speed of the engine as by a vacuum operatedmeans or the like. Thus as a car equipped with the engine starts toclimb a hill the cam may be adjusted to somewhat relieve the compressionof the spring 28 so the piston device 22 may be unseated with a lessressure.

The maximum cylinders will all be mounted on the same shaft 18. As a carequipped with such an engine starts slowly up a grade the cams 11 areeither manually or from the engine adjusted to' slightly raise thevpiston device Ill to enlarge the compres sion chamber whereb there willbe. adrop in compression pressure and knocking in the engine will beavoided. At the proper time the cams or discs Tl are returned to theirnormal positions.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1.'In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a head on said block, a piston in said cylinder and reciprocable toward and from said head, said head having an openingtherethrough in alignment with said cylinder, a sleeve extendingthrough: said head and providing side walls for said opening, aninternallip at the inner end of said sleeve, a piston device in saidsleeve in opposing relation to the piston and cooperating with thelatter when it is at the outer end of its stroke to define a compressionchamber, a cap closing the outer end of said sleeve, a rod movablethrough said cap, a plate on the inner end of said rod, a coil springhearing at its respective ends against said plate and the piston deviceand constantly tending to keep the latter against said lip, andadjustable cam means adjustable to cause movement of said rod todecrease and increase the compression of said spring depending on thedirection of movement of the cam.

2. In an internal combustion engine, an engine,

block having a cylinder therein, a head on said block, a piston in saidcylinder and reciprocable therein toward and from said head, said headhaving an opening therethrough in alignment with said cylinder, a sleevethreaded into and extending through said head and providing side wallsfor said opening, a piston device in said sleeve in opposing relation tothe piston and cooperating with the latter when it is at the outer endof its stroke to define a compression chamber, a cap closing the outerend of said sleeve, a rod movable through said cap, aplate at the innerend of said rod, a coil spring hearing at its respective ends againstsaid plate and the piston device and constantly tending to move the sameinwardly in said sleeve, a stop limiting inward movement of the pistondevice by said spring, and cam means adjustable to cause movement ofsaid rod to decrease and increase the compression of said springdepending on the direction of movement of the cam.

3. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from theouter end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passagetherethrough providing in efiect a continuation of said cylinder, 3,piston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end ofsaid piston and with the latter defining a compression chamber at theouter end of the cylinder when the piston is in its outermost position,a cap closing the outer end of said passage, a rod connected with saidpiston device and slidable through said cap, an arm having at one end ahead connected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slotconnection, a screw passing through the other end portion of said armand at the inner side thereof connected with.a plate; a coil springbearing against said plate and normall tending to act therethrough andmove said other end portion of the arm outwardly away from the engine,said arm having a circular opening therein intermediate its ends, a discin said opening, a bracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc ineccentric relation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the discacts as a cam to raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower thepiston device in said passage against the action of said spring.

4. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from theouter end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passagetherethrough providing in effect a continuation of said cylinder, apiston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end Ofsaid piston and with the latter defining a compression chamber, a capclosing the outer end of said passage, a rod connected with said pistondevice and slidable through said cap, an arm having at one end a headconnected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slot connection, ascrew passing through the outer end portion of said arm and at the innerside thereof connected with a plate, a coil sprin bearing against saidplate and normally tending to act therethrough and move said other endportion of the arm outwardly away from the engine, said arm having acircular opening therein intermediate its ends, a disc in said opening,a bracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc in eccentricrelation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the disc acts as a camto raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower the piston device insaid passage against the action of said spring, a stop device limitingrocking movement of said arm about said disc, a rocker on said'arm, anda spring constantly tending to shaft said rocker and thereby maintainingit in mechanical contact with said stop in all positions of the arm.

5. In a take up device, a pair of parts of which one is movable towardand from the other, cam

'means providin mechanical contact between said parts, and spring meanscausing said cam means to move and maintain said mechanical contactbetween said parts on movement of one of said parts in a direction fromthe other thereof.

6. In a take up device, an arm, a bracket having a passage receivingsaid arm, a roller at the outer end of said passage and toward and fromwhich said arm is movable, said bracket having slots in'its portions atthe sides of said passage and extending in the direction of said roller,a pin passing through said arm and movable in said slots for guidedmovement of the arm toward and from said roller, a cam pivoted on saidpin at one side of said arm, and a coil spring constantly tending torock said cam on said pin and serving to thereby maintain the cam inmechanical contact with the roller at all times as the pin and arm movetoward and from the roller within the limits of said slots.

7. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and fromthe outerend thereof, a head on said block and havin a cylindrical passagetherethrough providing in eifect a continuation of said cylinder, 9,

passage, a rod connected with said piston device and slidable throughsaid cap whereby the piston ieviee is movable toward and from thepiston,

and a cam means adjustable to control such movement.

8. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from theouter end thereof, a head on said block and hav-. ing a cylindricalpassage therethrough providing in effect a continuation of saidcylinder, 9, piston device in said passage in opposed relation to theouter end of said piston and with the latter 'defining a compressionchamber at the outer end of the cylinder when the piston is initsoutermost position, a cap closing the outer end of said passage, a rodconnected with said piston device and slidable through said cap, an armhavingat one end a head connected with the outer end of said rod by apin and slot connection, said arm having a, circular opening thereinintermediate its ends, a disc in said opening, a bracket mounting ashaft passing through said disc in eccentric relation thereto whereby onrotation of the shaft the disc acts as a cam to raise and lower the armand thus raise and lower the piston device in said passage.

9. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from theouter end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passagetherethrough providing in eiiect a continuation of said cylinder, apiston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end ofsaid Piston and with the latter defining a compression chamber, a capclosing the outer end of said passage, 0. rod connected with said pistondevice and 'slidable through said cap, an arm having at one end a headconnected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slot connection,said arm having a circular opening therein intermediate its ends, a discin said opening, abracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc ineccentric relation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the discacts as a cam to raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower thepiston device in said passage, a stop device limiting rocking movementof said arm about said disc, a rocker on said arm, and a springconstantly tending to shift said rocker and thereby maintain it inmechanical contact with said stop in all positions of the arm.

10. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylindertherein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from theouter end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passagetherethrou h providing in effect a continuation of said cylinder, apiston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end orsaid pistonand with the latter defining a compression chamber at theouter end of the cylinder when the piston is in its gutermost position,a rod connected with said piston device, and a cam means adjustable tooperate on said rod and vary the position'of said piston device inrelation to said piston.

ANTHONY CADELLA.

